Nubian grey water recycling adopted by Porter Davis for new homes

In keeping with its commitment to sustainable environmental practices, Porter Davis Homes has announced that future new homes sold after July 1 will be offered to the market with the option to allow for the installation of Nubian's Oasis, a grey water recycling technology.

Porter Davis Homes is one of the largest new homebuilders in Victoria and will be completing over 1000 homes this year.

Australian-owned, Nubian's technology allows households to save up to 40% of their grey water. Once treated it can be safely used for gardens and toilets throughout the houses.

Commenting Porter Davis Homes Director Paul Wolff: "Traditionally homeowners want to have a garden, but with the current water crisis in Victoria, gardens are no longer a possibility for many. Porter Davis Homes have addressed this by provisioning the design of their new homes

with a system that allows them to use Nubian's technology to recycle their water for garden use as well as being plumbed throughout the home for use in flushing all toilets. The technology provides them with a constant supply throughout the year."

He continues: "Nubian's technology can be installed above ground and uses no environmentally harmful agents in the water purification process. Porter Davis believe this is a great initiative for our customers and for environmental protection."

Nubian CEO John Huggart: "Nubian applauds the innovation and leadership of Porter Davis Homes , Building a new home is an exciting time for homeowners, and also the best time to make smart sustainable choices with water."

The product to be used by Porter Davis is Nubian Water Systems OASIS Domestic Greywater Treatment System (GT600). GT600 is a sleek, compact, above-ground design that is ideal for urban housing. No excavations are necessary. GT600 looks great and can be up and running within 24 hours of delivery.

Nubian Water Systems CEO John Huggart says: "The use of recycled water also substantially reduces load on municipal waste systems, which represents an important community cost-saving."

Huggart continues: "An important ecological benefit of the OASIS GT600 is that the treated greywater is discharged at PH 7.0, a neutral level which doesn't effect soil fertility. The treatment process is chemical free so no chlorine or other chemicals, which contribute to the

depletion of the ozone layer, are added to the environment. The recycled water is disinfected to make it safe for human contact and allow its use for irrigation of fruit and vegetable gardens."

An additional benefit of the system is that it decreases the harmful effects of high levels of phosphorus to 3 mg/L which means at this concentration it acts as a natural fertiliser and is of great benefit to the garden.

Nubian have estimated that if the 20.2m people in Australia treated their greywater and recycled it, there would be a saving of over 700,000 megalitres of drinking water, enough to supply the total annual drinking demands of Sydney and Melbourne. In addition, by using a chemical free process, there would be an annual reduction in chlorine of 3,500 tonnes.

Commenting on the launch Huggart adds: "The market has received the OASIS GT600 launch with great enthusiasm and Nubian have literally been flooded with enquiries and orders." New housing developers and renovators in particular are finding the Nubian OASIS to be the ideal

greywater recycling technology.

The OASIS treats the greywater in a three steps process. At first solids such as lint, hair and other particles are settled and separated. The water then passes through media where contaminants are removed through absorption, biological process and filtration, and it is finally disinfected. The system has a collection water tank, a processor and a treated water tank where the recycled water is stored prior to reuse.

Frequently Asked Questions - Answers by CEO John Huggart

Who or what is Nubian Water Systems?

"Nubian Water Systems was formed in 2005 by investors who recognized the need and urgency to practically address the increasing shortage of drinking water. Their vision is to provide reliable, sustainable and affordable on-site systems. It is an Australian company and there is an international patent pending for the OASIS GT600."

What sets it apart from all the other greywater systems out there? Is the technology Australian?

"What sets the OASIS GT600 apart is its appliance like attractive modular design and ability to sit next to a house or a garage in an urban environment. You do not have to excavate to install it, like other systems.

In addition it is a natural biological treatment and there are no harmful chemicals used for disinfection.

What has been the take-up rate since launching and have the water shortages proved a boon for business?

"The interest and take up rate is building rapidly since the launch in December. The water shortages and threats of increasing restriction has stimulated interest by consumers seeking to have a sustainable source of water for gardening."

Is the OASIS treated water safe to drink?

"The system is not designed to produce drinking water, it simply saves the use of precious drinking water on gardens, car washing, toilet flushing and laundry."

The company has undertaken a comprehensive and demanding test process supervised by SAI Global to achieve the stringent standards required for the NSW Department of Health accreditation of greywater treatment systems.

How soon after purchasing the OASIS Greywater Treatment System would a client expect to break even?

"Our clients don't just purchase our OASIS system to save on their water bills. They see it in the same terms as perhaps the purchase of a home theatre. It adds value to their property, enjoyment and lifestyle choices by guaranteeing the supply of treated water that can be used for gardens."

"With a permanent water supply from recycling, they can be guaranteed water for garden use, whatever the water restrictions. This is a form of asset protection, maintaining and increasing the investment in their house, while adding to the pleasure they have in living in the house.

Attractive gardens ensure a higher property price should they wish to sell. (Gardens are said to add up to 10% to property prices).

Developers use the OASIS as a selling point for new housing as it guarantees the prospect of a green lawn to the prospective buyer."

"Any person who installs an OASIS is taking a very socially responsible initiative. They save precious drinking water, and reduce the amount of waste that runs into the community sewage system."

The Nubian OASIS GT600 is accredited for use in NSW, Queensland, ACT and Victoria and there are over 50 accredited installation dealers.